CECC Chairman Byron Dorgan Calls Attention to the Relevance of Human Rights Concerns to the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue

CECC Chairman Byron Dorgan Calls Attention to the Relevance of Human Rights Concerns to the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue

July 28, 2009

(Washington, DC)—Senator Byron Dorgan, Chairman of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC), made the following statement on the occurrence of the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue:

Mr. DORGAN. The meeting of the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue this week in Washington is an important opportunity. It is a chance to advance a comprehensive relationship between our two countries and to highlight the importance of fundamental rights to that relationship.

I am chairman of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China. The Commission examines human rights and rule of law developments in China. In recent years, I have witnessed human rights concerns being pushed to the margins of the U.S.-China relationship. This is due in part to China's growing financial, diplomatic and military strength. Sidelining our human rights concerns with China is a strategic mistake for the U.S.

The advancement of human rights concerns with China is more important to U.S. interests than ever. The reporting of the Commission I chair makes this crystal clear.

Press censorship in China makes it possible for toxic food and public health crises to spread globally.

The harassment of whistleblowers and the suppression of criticism and dissent remove internal checks against environmental damage that not only hurts ordinary Chinese citizens but has a global impact.

Abuses of low-wage labor compromise goods that come to the U.S. which have harmed U.S. consumers, as well as Chinese consumers.

The government's control of mass media and the internet allow it to stoke nationalist anger against the United States in moments of crisis. This can be terribly dangerous.

Let there be no doubt--I have enormous respect for China. I respect the progress China has made by lifting hundreds of millions of people out of poverty. I admire its rich and remarkable culture and immensely talented people. But I firmly believe that its people should be free to speak their minds and practice their chosen faiths without fear.

There also have been positive developments in recent years. The government has enshrined in its Constitution the state's responsibility to protect and promote human rights. The Congressional-Executive Commission on China has also reported on China's recent adoption of new labor protections, and the relaxing of restrictions on foreign journalists inside China. These and other gains were made partly as a result of sustained international pressure. The meeting of the Strategic Economic Dialogue presents another opportunity to press for more such gains.

But let us be clear: Nothing we ask of China regarding human rights is inconsistent with commitments to international standards to which China in principal already has agreed. So we are not necessarily looking just for more agreements. We are waiting for action. We are waiting for China's leaders to demonstrate true commitment, not just in words but in deeds, to prioritizing human rights, including worker rights, and the development of the rule of law in no lesser way than they have prioritized economic reform.

In closing, the Strategic and Economic Dialogue this week provides an opportunity to underline how advancing the welfare of citizens must not be separated from a demonstrated commitment to human rights and the rule of law. To remain faithful to our pursuit of basic American values, we must seize that opportunity.